Basketball Plays of the Day for February 3: Free NCAAB Picks (Archive)
The Northeastern Huskies are currently on an 11-game losing streak. Can James Madison extend that losing streak to 12? Below, we’ll take a look at the early NCAAB odds and the best sportsbook to bet with today.
James Madison Dukes vs. Northeastern Huskies
Thursday, February 3, 2022 – 7:00 PM EST at Matthews Arena
The James Madison Dukes will take on the Northeastern Huskies in a CAA conference matchup. James Madison already defeated Northeastern, 89-66 in their first meeting and will look to do the same in the next meeting.
Northeastern has lost 11 straight games and is currently 0-10 in conference play. The Huskies haven't scored more than 70 points in regulation during conference play and have one game with 76 points, which was a loss in overtime.
In the first game, with James Madison at home, Northeastern couldn't hang offensively. In this game, the same thing should happen. James Madison is shooting a 52.2 percent effective field goal percentage while knocking down 34.6 percent of threes and hitting 52.5 percent from two.
The Dukes are very balanced offensively and get to the line at a high rate while hitting foul shots at a slightly above average rate of 71.4 percent. Northeastern's defense is just dreadful. The Huskies are allowing teams to shoot a 52.7 percent effective field goal percentage while opponents have hit 36.1 percent from three and 51.9 percent from inside on the season.
Also, you won't really have to worry about Northeastern earning turnovers, as the Huskies have averaged under 16 percent per game.
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The one area where the Huskies have been solid has been on the defensive glass. But so many shots fall against the Huskies, that sometimes, it becomes a non-factor. The Dukes only had two offensive rebounds in the first meeting against Northeastern, but secured more defensive rebounds, shot better, earned more turnovers, and got to the line at a higher rate in that game.
In that same game, Northeastern chucked up 37 threes, so of course, offensive rebounds would be high for Northeastern with the Huskies only shooting 32.4 percent from three-point range on 37 attempts.
Meanwhile, James Madison has forced 22.2 percent of turnovers per game. The Dukes managed to force 19 turnovers against Northeastern in the first game and that should continue on into this one.
Northeastern is turning the ball over 22.1 percent of the time themselves and also struggling to earn a whole bunch of offensive rebounds, despite what happened in that first game.
Northeastern has only averaged 27.1 percent offensive rebounds. But if they average more than that percentage in tonight's game, that means Northeastern is chucking up threes and missing many of them. That'll be a good thing.
Northeastern has shot 32.4 percent from three and 51.8 percent from inside. The rate inside is solid and that should be more of a focal point for Northeastern in tonight's game. However, again, Northeastern would rather take a whole bunch of threes, which is just an area where they're not hitting at an above-average rate.
Prediction
Northeastern, again, hasn't scored more than 70 points in regulation during a conference game this season. James Madison, on the other hand, has scored 70 or more points in six of their eight games against conference foes.
Just like last game, I'd expect Northeastern to struggle enough from the field to allow James Madison to cruise to a victory on the offensive end. For James Madison, the defense hasn't been good this season. But Northeastern's offense should also be a factor in this game and it hasn't been very good either recently.
So take James Madison as an underdog, +1.5 at -100 for your college basketball pick! Best of luck!
NCAAB Pick: James Madison +1.5 (-110) with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.